Union Minister Discusses Scheduled Tribe Status for Assam Communities

Consideration for Scheduled Tribe Status

New Delhi, May 4: Jual Oram, the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, has announced that his Ministry is actively evaluating the possibility of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six specific communities in Assam.

Oram stated, “We are positively addressing the matter of ST status for these communities in Assam. However, a conclusive decision has yet to be reached. We are examining all relevant factors.”

He mentioned that the Registrar General of India (RGI) is currently assessing and offering recommendations regarding proposals for new inclusions or changes to the ST lists.

“We have also received numerous recommendations and inputs from the Assam government,” he added.

The six communities in question—Tai-Ahom, Matak, Moran, Chutia, Koch-Rajbanshi, and Adivasi-tea tribes—have long sought Scheduled Tribe recognition.

In February, Durgadas Uikey, the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, confirmed that the Assam government had submitted a recommendation for the inclusion of these communities under the ST category.

Uikey explained that the Government of India established the procedures for addressing claims related to the inclusion, exclusion, and modifications of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists on June 15, 1999, with subsequent amendments on June 25, 2002, and September 14, 2022.

“According to these procedures, only proposals that have been recommended and justified by the relevant State Government or UT Administration, and approved by the RGI and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), will be considered for legislative amendments. All actions regarding these proposals are conducted in accordance with the established procedures,” Uikey stated.

In a related development, the Anuchuchit Jati Sangrami Yuva Parishad has urged the Prime Minister to initiate a Central investigation into alleged corruption within the SC Welfare Directorate in Assam.